Method for identification of near-surface drilling hazards
US5555531A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 19, 1994 |
| Grant date | Sep 10, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 19, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01V2210/65
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method is disclosed to identify existence of near-surface drilling hazards in the vicinity of a sea floor location comprising the steps of: obtaining 3D seismic data for the seafloor in the vicinity of the sea floor location; preparing high resolution 3D vertical profiles from the 3D seismic data; preparing an artificially-illuminated rendered surface based on the 3D seismic data; and identifying existence of near-surface hazards in the vicinity of the sea floor location by visual analysis of the rendered surface with reference to the high resolution 3D vertical profiles. Deep tow and geohazard surveys, which are expensive and time consuming are not required in the practice of the present invention. 3D seismic surveys that are used in the practice of the present invention have often been prepared for other purposes.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.